David Ames digs through his music collection to count down his top ten favourite albums in a specific music genre. For his second genre choice, David gets emotional about Emo/Post Hardcore. At #4, it's Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge...The next genre on this list takes me back to my junior high and high school days. Few genres can better express the feelings of an angsty teenager than Emo/post hardcore. A lot of bands get lumped into this genre so be prepared for some music you may not necessarily feel are good representatives of the style. Like bands that were lumped together with the grunge era, many bands that came out in the late 90s and early 2000s were associated with this movement. For my purposes here today, I am talking about a group of albums that were influential to me at that time and from then on. Emotional and usually clever/intelligent lyricism is a staple of this genre, along with punk and pop influences. There are even elements of screamo present on this list. Hopefully you will recognize some of these albums and if you’re like me, the part of your brain that recognizes nostalgia will be buzzing with activity .

#4: My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
This album is where I will get the most flak. I know that My Chemical Romance doesn’t fit perfectly into any box. Their first album is heavily punk, this album is emo/post-hardcore, the third feels like a queen opus, and the fourth is unabashedly 70s and 80s rock influenced. I simply place them here because they emerged at the same time as Taking Back Sunday and At the Drive-In and their music is somewhat similar. This album is perfectly executed and has that perfect blend of teenage angst, musicianship, and cheeky attitude that made My Chemical Romance so famous. From the start of this record you can be treated to soaring choruses, emotional lyrics and themes, and even a sweet western-twinged song with guest vocals from The Used’s Bert McCkracken. If you haven’t ever heard this album, I know you have at least heard of the band and this is a great jumping on point for the group. Indulge in your inner 15 year-old and scream, “I’m Not Okay!” at the top of your lungs. It’ll be just like high school all over again.

Singles:

“I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”

“Thank You for the Venom”

“Helena”

“The Ghost of You”

Best non-single track:
“You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison”